Abstract

Hanaa H. Abd El-Baky*, Farouk K. El Baz and Gamal S. El-Baroty

This study illustrates the process of enhancing phenolics synthesis in Spirulina maxima grown in Zarrouk’s medium supplemented with sodium nitrate (NaNO3) and or phenylalanine (L-PA), attaining highest production obtained in medium containing 3.77 g.L-1 NaNO3 and 100 mgL -1 L-PA. HPLC profile showed the presence of phenolic acids and flavonoids predominantly with gallate, chlorogenate, cinnamate, pinostrobate and p-OHbenzoates. The protective action of Spirulina phenolic compounds ( SPC) against CCl4-induced in vitro hepatotoxicity symptoms like microsomal lipid peroxidation and hydroxyl radical formation was studied. SPC exhibited antioxidant effects on DPPH radical scavenging with IC50 values ranging from 23.22 to 35.62 gmL-1 and inhibit CCl4 induced lipid peroxidation in hepato- microsoms model, in dose-depended manner. Their protective potential was comparable to that of standard phenolic antioxidants such as BHT, BHA and – tocopherol (IC50 values ranged from 13.22 to 23.62 gmL-1 ).